Holding device for reflecting elements



Oct. 11, 1932. s. E. MUNCH 4 1,382,438

HOLDING DEVICE FOR REFLECTING ELEMENTS Filed May 20, 1929 attozmq Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GUSTAVE E. MUNCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR T WELSBACH TRAFFIC SIGNAL HOLDING- DEVICE FOR REFLECTING ELEMENTS Application med May 20,

This invention relates to a device for mounting and holding reflecting elements,

and more particularly to such elements as are used in connection with highway signs.

The present invention has several advantages over the method usually employed in attaching reflecting'elements to signs, and first among these is that it contemplates provision for the attachment of the reflecting element directly to the sign itself, instead of first attaching the element to a panel which is thereafter attached to the sign. 7

The construction is such that the individual elements may be quickly removed for replacement in case of damage to one or more of them, and furthermore, the elements may be interchanged quickly for obtaining desired color combinations.

The details of construction are such that the element as a whole ma be quickly and very substantiallyattacherf to the plate or shield and when attached, will result in'a strong and virtually integral structure.

The individual character of the reflecting elements conduce to their being so positioned on the shield as to form words, such for instance, as Stop, or upon individual letters as the exigencies of use may require.

In the drawin illustrating the invention,

Figure l is a' ace view of a sign with the reflecting elements applied thereto; I

Figure 2 illustrates an individual letter with the elements attached;

Figure 3 is a plan of the element attached to a fragment of the shield;

Figure 4 is a central section through the element, and fragment of shield, the crystal or glass being in elevation, and

Figure 5 is a planview of the outer face of the bushing, showing the spanner holes therein for turning the bushing.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the shield or plate which may constitute the main body of the sign or letter. Holes 1 are provided in the shield at appropriate points for the introduction of the holder. 2 designates a cap which forms the rear part of the holder. This is formed with a dome-shaped portion 3, having on the inside thereof a reflector 4:. The diameter of 1929. Serial No. 364,677.

the forward portion of the cap is increased, as indicated at 5 and at its forward edge, the cap is internally threaded as indicated at 6, to cooperateswith screw threads 7 externally provided on a bushing ring 8 formed with a circumferential flange 9 adapted, when the holder is in place, to lie flat against the front face of the shield 1, as shown, and in cooperation With the front end of the cap, secure the holder firmly upon the shield.

The numeral 10 designates the crystal or glass. same as those of the interior of the opening in the bushing or ring and in the domeshaped portion of the cap; Thusit will be seen that when the crystal is in place in the holder, an annular pocket 11 is formed in the holder, by reason of the enlargement of the cap at its forward end, the pocket being for the reception of a quantity of cement, preferably litharge cement, by which the glass is held firmly in the holder. It will be noted that the dome shaped end of the casing and the ring 8 fit closely on the reflector and glass so that the cement is held in a packing groove having bevelled shoulders at its upper and lower sides and that by reason of this construction this cement may be held in firm contact with the glass and is protected by the bushing so that no moisture can get into the reflector.

4 The bushing is provided with an appropriate number of sockets 12, for the reception of the fingers of a spanner wrench wherewith the bushing may be readily manipulated t9 thread it into the opening of the cap.

The crystal or glass is first inserted into the cap until its lower circumferential edge contacts with the annular shoulder 13 in the dome of the cap, which shoulder limits the inward movement of the crystal and leaves a semi-eliptical or concavo-convexed space behind the crystal, the rear portion of which is occupied by the reflector as shown. The cement is then introduced and preferably allowed to harden sufficiently to virtually unite the crystal and the cap. The crystal is then passed through the hole 1 in the shield and the bushing then applied from the front, and

Its diameter is uniform, and is the threaded or screwed into the space, thus firmv ly securing the holder to the shield.

The numeral 14 designates an annular gasket of suitable compressible material, trough shape in cross section and adapted to embrace the inner edge of the plate adjacent the hole therein, to forma moisturetight joint between the bushing 8 and the cap 2.

I claim:

1. A holding device for reflecting elements, comprising a cap havinga concavoconvexed rear portion, a reflector in said portion, a glass element in said cap, said cap' being internally threaded, a bushin having an externally threaded portion a apted for engagement with the threads of the cap, said bushing being provided with a flange adapted for engagementwith the front surface of a plate, whereby, when said bushing is threaded into the cap, the upper edge of the cap and bushing flange will be drawn together" for clamping action upon the plate;

said cap having the bushing receiving en enlarged to form a packing groove, and a packing in said groove closely engaging the glass, element.

2. In combination with a plate having an opening therein, a holding device for reflecting elements, comprising a cap having an internally threaded portion adapted for engagement with the plate adjacent the opening' therein, a bushing having external threads engaging the threads in the cap, said bushing having a portion adapted for engagement with the front side of the plate adjacent the opening, whereby when the bushing is threaded into the cap, the cap and bushing are firmly clamped to the plate, a crystal element in the cap and a reflector located at the rear of said element, said bushing fitting closely on the outer end of the crystal element, said cap being of greater diameter than the crystal element for a portion of its depth below the bushing, whereby a packing groove is provided between the bushing and the inner end of the crystal element for securing said element within the cap, said means consisting of a packing in said groove in intimate contact with the crystal element.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GUSTAVE E. MUNCH. 

